The city of Hialeah allocated $13,050 of public funds for the mass sending of text messages promoting events of Mayor Bryan Calvo. According to a investigation by the Miami Herald published on Wednesday, the money went to the same political consulting firm that had received $171,000 from the Let's Fix Hialeah political action committee, linked to the mayor.
The contracted company is Dark Horse Strategies and Consulting Inc., led by Emiliano Antunez, who was a consultant for Calvo's campaign in 2025.
The political action committee "Let's Fix Hialeah" paid $171,000 for consulting services during that electoral campaign, with the final disbursement made in January 2026, just days after Calvo took office.
Three months later, the city began hiring the same firm with taxpayer money.
Between April and July, Hialeah made four payments to Dark Horse Strategies for text message campaigns: 54,500 SMS for Earth Day cleanup ($4,425), 52,900 SMS for the Mayor's Cup Fan Fest of the World Cup ($4,100), 3,030 SMS for a community gathering ($500), and 51,000 SMS for the July 4th celebration ($4,025).
One of the messages was written in the first person: "I am excited to invite you and your family to the Mayor's Cup Fan Fest on Saturday, June 13, at Factory Town as we celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026."
The messages were sent to residents from a phone number that did not identify itself as belonging to the municipality.
Municipal records also reveal three additional service orders to the firm: $1,880 in August and another $785 and $875 in September. Antunez confirmed to the Herald that Hialeah has already paid for the services in August, although the city has not provided the receipts.
The total accumulated between confirmed payments and additional orders amounts to $16,590, which is $8,410 less than the $25,000 that requires approval from the City Council. According to the Miami Herald, municipal regulations also require this approval for hiring recurring vendors.
The council members told the Herald that they were completely unaware of these expenses when the newspaper asked them.
The pattern contrasts with the promises that Calvo made during his campaign, when the Miami Herald was investigating the spending of more than $45,000 in public funds on the farewell party for former Mayor Esteban Bovo. At that time, Calvo stated, "As mayor, I will ensure that every public dollar serves the public good, not the ego of politicians."
It is not the first time that the management of the youngest mayor in the history of Hialeah faces questions regarding the use of municipal resources. The city accumulated over $59,100 in additional payments for overtime and off-duty services to three members of his personal security detail from January to July 2026, according to payroll records.
Antunez defended his method before the Herald and stated that text messages are "more effective" than advertising on radio or in newspapers because they reach the target audience directly. He estimates the cost of his work based on the number of residents reached.
The available records cited by the Miami Herald do not show that previous administrations before Calvo paid political consultants to send mass text messages promoting community meetings or other activities of the mayor.
Calvo, his spokesperson, and his chief of staff did not respond to requests for comment from the Miami Herald.
Related videos:
Filed under: